Here’s a quick slide-show on the capabilities of Canon EOS R full-frame mirrorless camera. You can read the announcement here. Pricing and availability can be found below the slide-show.

Pricing and Availability of EOS R

The EOS R body, EOS R Kit (RF24-105mm f/4L IS USM), Mount Adapter EF-EOS R and Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R, will be available on 9 October 2018. The RF50mm f/1.2L USM will be available end October 2018. The recommended retail prices are as such:

Model

Recommended Retail Price

(Inclusive of GST)

EOS R (Body Only)

S$3399

EOS R Kit (RF24-105mm f/4L IS USM)

S$5098

RF24-105mm f/4L IS USM

S$1699

RF50mm F1.2 L USM

S$3649

Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

S$159

Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

S$319

BG-E22 battery grip

S$469

The pricing and availability of the remaining products will be advised at a later date.

The EOS R (body only) and EOS R Kit are currently available for pre-orders at S$3399 and S$4898 respectively, at the Canon eShop and all Canon authorised dealers until 8 October 2018.

Nikon Singapore Pte. Ltd has announced the release of the full-frame Nikon FX format mirrorless camera, Nikon Z7 and Nikon Z6, as well NIKKOR Z lenses, that uses a new mount name, Z Mount. Z Mount has a larger-diameter count and offers extended capabilities for Z Mount compatible lenses – S-Line lens. The Z Mount is also backward compatible, via an adapter, to continue support for older NIKKOR lenses and accessories.

The Z 7 and Z 6 are both full-frame, using CMOS sensor with built-in focal-plane phase-detection AX pixel, on EXPEED 6 image-processing engine.

The Z 7 has 45.7 megapixels with an ISO range of 64 to 25600. It provides the ability for higher dynamic range photography, yet maintain sharpness and detail, even to the edges of the image when combined with NIKKOR Z lenses.

The Z 6 has 24.5 megapixels with an ISO range between 100 to 51200, with the added advantage of full-frame 4K UHD movie recording with full pixel readout, even in dimly lit environments.

Standard focal-length range from wide-angle 24 mm to medium- telephoto 70 mm can effectively cover a wide variety of scenes and subjects with rendering performance that will change the perception of zoom lenses with a maximum aperture of f/4

Optical design that suppresses variations in aberrations from shooting distances of close-up to infinity, demonstrating sharp resolution even the peripheral areas of the frame from the maximum aperture, and fine point-image reproduction

Achieved a minimum focus distance of just 0.3 m across the zoom range

Adoption of an ED glass, an aspherical ED lens element, and three aspherical lens elements

Nano Crystal Coat adopted to suppress ghost and flare

Has the size needed to deliver an extremely high standard of optical performance, yet provides outstanding portability; employs a retracting mechanism that can be set on/off without pressing a button and reduces total length for a compact lens that can easily be taken anywhere

In consideration to a dust- and drip-resistance, the entire lens, including moving parts has been sealed

Fluorine coat applied to front lens surface

NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S Primary Features

Rendering performance that overturns the perception of what a 35mm f/1.8 lens can do

Sharp resolution even in the peripheral areas of the frame from the maximum aperture, provide effective suppression of sagittal coma flare that enables superb point-image reproduction when capturing point light sources in night landscapes, and the soft and natural bokehcharacteristics expected of a fast (bright) lens

Adoption of a new multi-focusing system achieves quiet, fast, and accurate AF control, as well as high image-forming performance at any focus distance

Adoption of two ED glass, and three aspherical lens elementsNano Crystal Coat adopted to suppress ghost and flare

In consideration to a dust- and drip-resistance, the entire lens, including moving parts, has been sealed

Launched in August 2018, the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR provide the versatility to track and capture fast-moving distant objects such as aircrafts, wild birds, and in sporting events, without compromising performance and clarity.

PF stands for Phase Fresnel lens element. The FX-format lens weighs in at an approximate 1460g and still delivery superior optical performance.

In comparison, the 500mm f/4E FL ED VR weigh almost 3.1kg!

For more information on the new Z 7 and Z 7, and other Nikon products, please visit www.nikon.com.sg

Canon have announced the launch of the Canon EOS R series, which is a mirrorless full-frame camera. With the launch, a set of lens using the RF Mount, have also been launched. Existing Canon users with EF lenses may use the Canon EOS R series using an RF Mount adapter.

The EOS R sports an ISO sensitivity range between 100 to 40,000. Additionally, using image information from the image sensor and the lens’s gyro sensor, the camera can eliminate camera shake to a high accuracy; known as Dual Sensing IS.

Edwin Teoh, Head of Marketing, Singapore Operations, Canon Singapore, says,”Canon is dedicated to raising the bar in imaging technology, and we’ve redefined photography limits with the new Canon EOS R. Equipped with a DIGIC 8 image processor, focus speed of 0.05 seconds and 5,655 focusing positions, the new 30.3MP full-frame camera amalgamates the perfect balance of optical excellence and creative freedom.

The Canon EOS R Series and the RF Lens will be available from October. Pricing will be advised later.

SINGAPORE, 5 September 2018 – Canon today announced the latest addition to its EOS lineup, the Canon EOS R, Canon’s first 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor mirrorless interchangeable-lens digital camera that features an electronic viewfinder (EVF). Together with the Canon EOS R, Canon also unveiled four brand new RF lenses, two super telephoto EF lenses and one prime EF-M lens. To complete the EOS ecosystem, three types of RF mount adapters are introduced, giving users the flexibility of using their personal EF lenses with the new EOS R. Users can also include the new compact Speedlite for a comprehensive suite of equipment to make their vision a reality.

“Canon is dedicated to raising the bar in imaging technology, and we’ve redefined photography limits with the new Canon EOS R,” said Edwin Teoh, Head of Marketing, Singapore Operations, Canon Singapore. “Equipped with a DIGIC 8 image processor, focus speed of 0.05 seconds and 5,655 focusing positions, the new 30.3MP full-frame camera amalgamates the perfect balance of optical excellence and creative freedom.”

New Opportunities through RF Mount
The new 54mm diameter RF mount places the EOS R a league above the rest. With its short flange focal distance of 20mm and 12-pin contact points for an enhanced communication between the lens and body, the RF mount allows a new breed of compact, high image quality and advance specification lenses to be constructed.

The RF Lenses sends data to correct any diffraction, aberrations, peripheral illumination or distortion through the in-camera Digital Lens Optimizer in-camera, without affecting the shooting speed. The improved data transfer between the camera and the lens enhances Image Stabilization for both stills and video.

Epitome of Image Quality
Delivering crisp details and vivid colours at 30.3 megapixels through the 35mm full-frame CMOS sensor, the EOS R has an ISO sensitivity range of 100-40,000 to make shooting in low-light scenes achievable. Driven by the latest DIGIC 8 imaging processor, the Auto Lighting Optimizer applies gradient to produce intricate details in highlights and shadows for a well-balanced image even in backlit conditions.

Focusing on What Matters
The Canon EOS R boasts the world’s fastest near instantaneous focusing speed of 0.05seconds. Made possible through Dual Pixel CMOS AF, users can catch that fleeting moment as quick as it happens. Users now have the freedom to define as many as 5,655 AF positions, allowing for better composition opportunities. The large focusing area covers approximately 100 percent (vertically) x 88 percent (horizontally) when used with compatible lenses. Shooting portraits at wide open aperture is made easier with Eye Detection AF, which detects the subject’s pupil(s) and ensures that the eyes are always in focus.

The breakthrough in low-light focus of EV-6 limit allows the EOS R to attain precise focus even in extreme low-light conditions where the human eye would have difficulty discerning details.

Seamless Union of OLED and Screen for Extra Control
Looking through the customisable 3.69-million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF), the EOS R provides users with an accurate depiction of the shot with the desired setting. A customisable multifunction bar with tap and slide functions, allows silent adjustments, suitable even for video recording. Along with the control ring on the RF lenses and the sub-electronic trapezoidal dial on-top, users have full control of the camera and the shot, without having to take their eyes off the scene to adjust settings.

The touch & drag AF allows the users to shift the AF point around using the touch screen, even while looking through the EVF. With a vari-angle LCD screen, users can shoot from unconventional angles.

The EOS R is the first Canon camera to feature FV exposure mode, which enables auto and direct control in one single mode for shutter speed, aperture and ISO sensitivity – all done without looking away from the EVF. Silent Shutter benefits users who do stills photography, shooting stealthily during a performance, conference or recital. A dot-matrix LCD is located at the top of the camera, providing crucial information at a glance without looking through the EVF or at the LCD screen.

The ergonomic design of the EOS R is well depicted through its deep grip and well balanced design. Together with a dust and moisture resistant sealing, the magnesium alloy body, ensures that the EOS R is ready to perform, rain or shine.

Cinematography Capabilities
The EOS R records in Ultra High Definition 4K at 30p/25p (3840 x 2160 pixels) video. The camera supports Canon’s proprietary Canon Log, which has proven results with the Cinema EOS System of video production equipment. The EOS R offers flexible control over shadows and highlights to achieve better subtle details in the bright and dark areas during post-processing and colour grading. 4K video is displayed with a rich 10-bit output gradation and a wide colour gamut through the HDMI terminal.

Glass of the Future
The new RF lenses are a step towards the future, providing extremely high image quality. In addition to the focus ring and zoom ring found on conventional EF lenses, the RF lenses feature an additional new control ring for exposure adjustments.

RF24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Compact and lightweight, the RF24-105mm f/4L IS USM kit lens delivers superior quality for stills photography as well as videography, thanks to its Nano USM drive which ensures smooth and high speed autofocusing. The focal length and constant aperture of f/4 makes this lens a great combination with the EOS R as a portable camera system.

Equipped with Canon’s latest microprocessor, the RF24-105mm f/4L IS USM achieves 5 stops of image stabilisation, the most ever achieved by any Canon lens. The lens also supports Dual Sensing IS for stills while video capture utilises Combination IS, a feature in which the optical IS of the lens works together with the electronic IS of the camera body to produce a superior image stabilization effect.

RF50mm f/1.2L USM
The RF50mm f/1.2L USM lens builds on the wide diameter and short back focus that characterizes the RF mount to achieve a brighter aperture of f/1.2, making low-light photography a breeze. Ideal for portrait photography, the lens makes near perfect circular bokeh effects with 10 blades and delivers incredible sharpness.

The lens produces amazing smooth blur and background separation with its large aperture. A shorter focusing distance of 0.4m and 0.19x magnification allows tighter composition.

RF28-70mm f/2L USM
Thanks to the newly developed RF mount, the large-diameter RF28-70mm f/2L USM lens maintains a constant aperture of f/2 across the entire zoom range, a feat difficult to achieve with conventional EF mount lenses. Taking advantage of the wide f/2 aperture, its high optical performance makes it ideal even for weddings and astrophotography.

On par with prime lenses, the RF28-70mm f/2L USM lens enables users to cover the entire 28-70mm shooting range with a single lens.

RF35mm f/1.8 MACRO IS STM
At 62.8mm long and 305g, the RF35mm f/1.8 MACRO IS STM lens is an extremely compact and lightweight macro lens. With a wide focal length of 35mm, the lens is ideal for daily snapshots and still-life photography.

Users can get up close to objects to capture textures and details that eludes the human eye with the maximum magnification of 0.5x. At wide open aperture of f/1.8, bokeh effects are simply beautiful. Besides Dual Sensing IS and Combination IS at achieves up to 5 stops of Image Stabilisation, the lens also have Hybrid IS that corrects camera shake with high precision during macro photography.

EF-M32mm f/1.4 STM
Weighing at only 235g, the EF-M32mm f/1.4 STM lens has a focal length of 51mm (35mm sensor equivalent), which is a favourite amongst photographers. Users can compose a tighter image with the 0.25x magnification.

The large aperture of f/1.4 allows spectacular background blur while performing well in low-light conditions. The EF-M32mm f/1.4 STM lens also has a full-time manual focus ability and a metal mount.

EF400mm f/2.8L IS III USM & EF600mm f/4L IS III USM
Two of Canon’s high image quality and popular Super Telephoto lenses feature a retooled lighter body while improving its Image Stabilization, from 3.5 stops to 5 stops. The new carbon reinforced magnesium alloy body reduced the weight of the EF400mm f/2.8L IS III USM by 1,010g, making it the world’s lightest 400mm lens while the EF600mm f/4L IS III USM is 870g lighter, claiming the world’s lightest 600mm lens title.

Revamped with a new sleek design, the two lenses have improved heat management through a new heat shield coating and heat conductivity design. Users will welcome the new adjustable focusing speed to suit their shooting style through the new electronic focusing ring. The ability to have two focus presets and to activate either using the playback ring is especially useful for sports photography.

Abundance of Choice
Constructed with dust and rain resistance in mind, the RF mount adapters feature simple designs and enable the use of existing EF mount lenses with nearly full functionality – ranging from wide-angle to telephoto, fisheye and macro – multiplying the possibilities of greater photographic expression.

Mount Adapter EF-EOS R
Simple, compact and lightweight mount adapter.

Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R
Equipped with a customizable lens control ring similar to the RF lenses, the Control Ring Mount Adapter EF-EOS R allows users to enjoy the same convenience while using existing EF lenses.

Drop-in Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R
These mount adapters are another step up by including a drop-in filter function – circular polarizing filter or variable neutral density filter . Users can directly adjust the polarizing angle or the ND filter density on the adapter, which is especially useful on lenses that do not support filters, such as fish-eye lenses. Users will no longer need different filters for different lenses.
Doubling the Power
Having twice the power in the BG-E22 battery grip for the EOS R allows double the opportunities to capture moments. The battery grip can hold up to two batteries and is the first of its kind to allow direct charging of up to two batteries with PD-E1 USB adapter.

The BG-E22 further adds on the ergonomics of the EOS R, improving on the comfort and providing a firmer grip even when shooting in vertical (portrait) orientation.

Compact Luminance
Built with functionality and convenience in mind, the new Canon Speedlite EL-100 is able to turn the flash-head in all directions of up to 180 degrees, bouncing light off the ceiling and wall in both horizontal and vertical orientation.

First in Canon’s Speedlite lineup, the EL-100 features Continuous Shooting Priority (CSP) mode and Auto mode . The Speedlite reduces its output power and raises ISO to save power, allowing more shots while using the CSP mode. New users of Speedlite can make full use of the Auto Mode, similar to Auto Mode on the cameras with built-in flash to determine how much flash is needed.

Pricing and Availability
Pricing information will be advised at a later date.

The EOS R, RF24-105mm f/4L IS USM and RF50mm f/1.2L USM will be available from October 2018. The availability of the remaining products will be advised at a later date.

]]>https://therojakplace.com/2018/09/canon-expands-with-eos-r-mirrorless-full-frame-camera/feed/11461Opinion: Cybersecurity in the Healthcare Industryhttps://therojakplace.com/2018/08/opinion-cybersecurity-in-the-healthcare-industry/
https://therojakplace.com/2018/08/opinion-cybersecurity-in-the-healthcare-industry/#commentsSat, 04 Aug 2018 03:30:17 +0000https://therojakplace.com/?p=1449In this contributed article by QuanHeng Lim, Director of CyberOps, Horangi CyberSecurity, we can learn more of the state of preparedness in the city state of Singapore, in combating, or at least, mitigating cyber offenses on the city’s technological infrastructure and assets. During the time of this publishing, another incident was reported and has led the largest bank in Singapore to send its members, replacement credit cards to mitigate a hack that affected lifestyle application, Klook.

This incident highlights that users need to be aware of and understand that cybersecurity issues may affect them. It is the responsibility of affected organisations to inform all stakeholders involved. Data breaches often take a long time to be detected, and the longer it takes, the more expensive it will be.In this case, data from transactions since December 11, 2017 are suspected to have been affected. Klook reported the issue on June 29, 2018, with actions to mitigate this still being done till today. This provides a large window for the attackers to act on information from the breach. It also highlights the need for cybersecurity regulations and awareness by companies handling sensitive data and sponsorship from decision makers in organisations for effective measures in understanding and improving cyber hygiene.

A joint press release by the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) and Ministry of Health (MOH) revealed that SingHealth, Singapore’s largest healthcare group, was subject to a “deliberate, targeted and well-planned cyberattack”. About 1.5 million patients had their personal data stolen, with outpatient medication records from 160,000 patients also copied and taken.

The SingHealth cyberattack involved two different classes of data. First, non-medical personal data (e.g. name, NRIC number, address, gender, race and date of birth); and the second, information on outpatient dispensed medicine. These two classes of data are valuable and can be used by malicious actors in various ways. For example:

Medical impersonation. By impersonating the affected patient, malicious actors can purchase and resell controlled medical equipment and drugs, or even file fictitious insurance claims based on the patient’s medical records;

Spearphishing. Using such information, malicious actors can phish the affected patient for even more sensitive data. There have been unverified reports of phishing SMSes copying the legitimate SMS meant to inform users of the SingHealth breach.

Unsurprisingly, given their wide range of potential uses and abuses, Forbes estimates medical records to be worth up to $1000 on the black market.

Who should bear responsibility in a medical cyberattack?

Is it the doctor or his IT vendor who bears responsibility for such a cyberattack? Unfortunately, the answer could possibility be both.

Medical professionals cannot simply push responsibility to their IT vendors. The Singapore Medical Association (SMA) has previously stated that it is the doctor himself who is “statutorily responsible for any system instituted within his practice for the management (storage, access and integrity) of medical data.” With increasing digitisation of healthcare records and new regulations on contributions to Singapore’s National Electronic Health Record (NEHR), doctors should ideally possess baseline knowledge on information security, whether by training or otherwise.

The clinic’s and/or hospital’s legal entity may be liable as well. Section 24 of the Personal Data Protection Act requires organisations to protect personal data in their possession or control by making reasonable security arrangements to prevent unauthorised access, collection, use, disclosure, copying, modification, disposal or similar risks. These include technical measures such as network security, strength of access controls, and the regularity and extent of patching and vulnerability fixing.

More obligations could also apply depending on the nature of the computer systems in question. Under Singapore’s newly-passed Cybersecurity Act, acute hospital care services and services relating to disease surveillance and response are considered “essential services”. If designated as critical information infrastructure (CII) by the Cybersecurity Agency of Singapore (CSA), computer systems owners would be subject to various obligations, such as bi-annual audits, annual risk assessments, as well as compliance with specific codes and standards. It is possible for such owners to be IT vendors, corporate legal entities, or even doctors themselves.

What can be done?

Singapore’s aging population requires the healthcare industry to adapt to an expanding and increasingly complex patient base. While online pharmacies, automated scheduling systems, remote diabetic check-ins and other innovations have arisen to address this need, their increased use requires healthcare providers to pay greater attention to the security of patients’ personal and medical information.

Although a first in Singapore, incidents involving millions of personal records such as the SingHealth cyberattack are not new. In fact, many similar breaches, some on an even larger scale, have occured in the past. For example:

No single cyber security solution can eradicate cyber risk completely. However, a great factor in mitigating cyber risk lies in educating the user – in this case, doctors and healthcare IT vendors themselves. This is because effective cyber security begins with sponsorship from organisational leaders, and the cultivation of a cyber-aware culture within the organisation.

Holistic cyber security involves people, processes, and technology. In relation to people, doctors and IT vendors should be aware that they could be targets for phishing and impersonation. The risk of phishing is not unique to the healthcare industry, and affects other industries (e.g. financial services, legal services) which deal with sensitive data, but have no guidance dealing with cybersecurity or understand the risks they must deal with.

In relation to processes and technology, doctors and IT vendors should work with a cybersecurity partner to build and maintain a secure technology environment. This could include vulnerability and threat assessments, setting up multi-factor authentication and application notifications. These solutions can be tailored to the size and scale of your clinic and organisation. For more sophisticated healthcare enterprises and CIIs, cyber security experts can provide periodic vulnerability assessments, audits, and penetration tests for regulatory compliance.

Jamo announced that the Studio SB 36 Sound Bar is now available in Singapore at the recommended retail price of $399. It can be purchased at Audio House, Courts, Harvey Norman, Hwee Seng online stores and Mustafa Centre.

A Brief History of Jamo1966In the fishing village of Glyngøre, Denmark, carpenter Preben Jacobsen begins building loudspeakers in his hen house. Two years later he will bring his brother-in-law Julius Mortensen into the business. Jacobsen + Mortensen = JAMO. By 1978 one million JAMO loudspeakers will be produced. Source: JAMO Website.

]]>https://therojakplace.com/2018/07/jamo-studio-sb-36-sound-bar/feed/01435Find A Clear WiFi Channel with Linksys EA8100 Max-Stream™ AC2600 MU-MIMO Gigabit WiFi Routerhttps://therojakplace.com/2018/07/find-a-clear-wifi-channel-with-linksys-ea8100-max-stream-ac2600-mu-mimo-gigabit-wifi-router/
https://therojakplace.com/2018/07/find-a-clear-wifi-channel-with-linksys-ea8100-max-stream-ac2600-mu-mimo-gigabit-wifi-router/#respondThu, 12 Jul 2018 08:50:10 +0000https://therojakplace.com/?p=1427Read More]]>With the rising spending power of home owners and their willingness to spend on higher quality wireless router solutions, has led to a gamut of devices running bandwidth channels amuck.

To quote CNET, ” Cause: Interference can be a real issue, especially in crowded areas. When most people first get their Internet set up, they leave settings unchanged, which means default wireless frequency channels — like 1, 6 and 11 — become very crowded. Fix: Fortunately, many newer model routers are capable of automatically selecting the least crowded frequencies upon rebooting. Perform a power cycle on your router or, log in to the admin panel and manually select a different channel.”

Unfortunately, this is not always the case, as it is usually achieved by trial and error. Having a network analyzer app within the smartphone, has been the go to for the intrepid power user – but the average homeowners are usually left out of the loop.

Linksys, with their latest EA8100, aim to solve that by including the certified Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) technique, that triples the number of channels available at 80MHz. It helps that with an AC2600, which comprises dedicated 800Mbps on 2.4Ghz + 2 of 1733Mbps on 5.0Ghz, the equipment has the bandwidth to spread and choose the channels better. Less clutter on a channel meant that users will get to enjoy more of their subscribed speed, rather than fighting with other WiFi equipment and connecting devices, on the same range of channels.

Linksys have also provided a Network Map with their app to provide a visual map of the home network, so you can further hone in on likely problematic channels.

TLDR: Canon announced the highly anticipated renewal of two popular lenses from its L series, the EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM and the EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM lenses. With its renowned optics utilizing one fluorite and five UD elements, 3.5 stops of shift type IS with various mode selection, users can count on the revamped EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens to deliver exceptional optical performance under challenging lighting conditions. The EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM lens has also been remodelled for portability and features an enhanced IS performance. With an additional IS mode 3 that detects irregular movements, users can easily track and frame their subjects.

SINGAPORE, 7 June 2018 – Canon today announced the highly anticipated renewal of two popular lenses from its L series, the EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM and the EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM lenses. With its renowned optics utilizing one fluorite and five UD elements, 3.5 stops of shift type IS with various mode selection, users can count on the revamped EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens to deliver exceptional optical performance under challenging lighting conditions.

The EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM lens has also been remodelled for portability and features an enhanced IS performance. With an additional IS mode 3 that detects irregular movements, users can easily track and frame their subjects.

“Lenses form a vital part of professional photography, and we’ve up the ante to complement the constantly evolving imaging technology,” said Mr. Edwin Teoh, Head of Marketing, Singapore Operations, Canon Singapore. “The new EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM and the EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM lenses are equipped with significant improvements made on the versatility, usability and maintainability of Canon’s L series lenses. With supreme optical performance, these new generation lenses are an ideal match to increase the new performance levels of cameras today, meeting the needs of the discerning photographer.”

Hardy and Reliable

As visual storytellers, photojournalists must be constantly ready to snap images at any given time or in any unpredictable situation. With the EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM’s large aperture and EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM’s improved IS mode for stabilising both vertical and horizontal panning, hand-held shots in lowlight conditions are now a breeze to capture.

Designed to deliver stellar quality and a great level of flexibility, the new lenses are reliable even in the harshest conditions. The dustproof and drip-proof structure of both lenses on the mount joints, switches and zoom rings, spells protection against water and dust, making them extremely helpful when shooting in torrential rain or the desert. The fluorine coating on the lenses’ surface renders it smudge-resistant from water and oil, and easy to clean if they do get dirty. Photographers can now focus on getting the right shot instead of worrying about the lenses.

Enhanced Precision and Image Stability

Sports or wildlife photography often requires the photographer to capture the essence of the subject in fleeting seconds. Equipped with ring-type USM which uses ultra-sonic frequency vibrations to deliver high-speed AF, photographers can easily capture fast moving subjects and unpredictable movements using the new lenses. The switch from auto-focus to manual focus is made instantly by rotating the focus ring, enabling faster response to ensure no moments are missed.

The two lenses feature IS modes suitable for various occasions; Mode 1 to shoot still life or stationary subjects and Mode 2 to shoot a moving object while panning, like at a racing event. In this mode, vertical movement during a horizontal pan and horizontal movement during a vertical pan will be automatically corrected. In addition, there is an IS Mode 3 available in the EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM lens that will be especially useful for sports photographers shooting fast-moving subjects without a tripod, and tracking of irregular movements.

Pristine Image Quality

Landscape photographers can rely on these two lenses to deliver the sharpest details throughout an image. Inheriting the combination of fluorite elements and UD lenses of existing models, the two lenses correct any chromatic aberrations to achieve high resolution and high contrast with minimal colour bleeding.

With one fluorite and five UD lenses combined, the EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens favorably corrects the lateral chromatic aberration, ensuring high resolution and high contrast throughout the zoom range. In addition, the EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens uses the new Air Sphere Coating (ASC) technology to significantly suppress any flaring and ghosting, delivering crisp images.

Unleash Your Creativity with Artistic Bokeh

With these two lenses, users can easily create artistic portrait shots with excellent bokeh. The EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens features an 8-blade circular aperture that creates a natural and soft background blurring, which apart from portraits, is also ideal for wildlife photography. A bright zoom lens with maximum aperture of f/2.8 throughout the zoom range, the lens enables photographic expression with dramatic background blurring.

The EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM lens on the other hand, uses a 9-blade circular aperture to produce a striking, smoother bokeh quality for that ultimate portrait shot.

Widen Your Portrait Photographic Expression

Portrait or macro shots sometimes require a short distance between the photographer and its subjects to showcase dramatic details. Recognising this, the minimum focusing distance of the EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM lens has been shortened from 1.2m to 1m. This means users can go closer to their subject to expand their photographic expression and also to achieve tighter composition. This larger magnification leads to more pronounced background separation to produce dynamic close-up shots.

Accompanying Accessories

No workhorse lenses should be without their trusty accessories like the accompanying lens bag and lens cap. The EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM lens has a new ET-87 Lens Hood and the Ring-Type Tripod Collar B, while the EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM lens is supplied with a hood that blocks out glare and prevents lens flare. This can be very useful when shooting under the blazing sun.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing and availability of the EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM and EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM lenses will be advised at a later date.

When we talk about espionage, most thoughts would be of spies from old cold war flicks, infiltrating top secret government facilities to retrieve sensitive information capable of gaining an edge over each other. These traditional espionage techniques still exist and are employed all state intelligence agencies. However, advancements in information technology alongside an international progression towards getting all our data digitized, we are seeing an emergence of a new typology of espionage. Cyber Espionage.

Cheng Lai Ki, CyberOps Consultant, Horangi Cyber Security

Advancements in information technology currently excels in capturing and storing large quantities of data. This directly contributes towards expediting the most laborious step within the intelligence process, collection. As more organizations in both the government and private sector are digitizing their data, espionage operations can be executed without moving a single step out of an office building.

As technology continues to advance, hyperconnectivity, big-data and advanced machine learning has come to revolutionize how organizations operate. The same benefits can be seen in the intelligence community and with espionage operations. Moving forward, what are the four key things enterprises need to know about cyber espionage?

Know Your Adversary

The first thing enterprises need to know is about their adversary, as knowing thy enemy is the primary step towards securing your organizational operations. However, when discussing cyber-espionage is its constant association to state level threat actors. This classification may soon be obsolete.

With the recent number high-level data leaks containing sensitive information and digital toolkits once used by state intelligence agencies, many malicious groups or actors are rapidly upgrading their arsenal and strategies.

As a result, advanced cyber espionage is no longer reserved for traditional state level threat actors, operating on behalf of a government objective, organizations are also increasingly exposed to cyber-espionage conducted by hacktivists, patriotic hacker groups, and other criminal entities. There are even ‘hackers for hire’, where anyone can enlist the services of a professional hacker for a small monetary fee.

As more of society continues to familiarize themselves with technology, one should only expect malicious groups to adjust to the times and update their tactics. Whilst most enterprises focus on integrating new technologies and operational procedures, a similar amount of effort should be devoted towards learning about their own vulnerabilities.

Dissect the Threat

The second thing enterprises need to understand is about the nature of cyber espionage as a threat towards their overall cyber security. A key misconception about cyber-espionage is the over emphasis on the ‘cyber’ portion, and the lack of a holistic understanding about the threat itself.

Espionage will always be a human challenge, and whilst technology plays a critical role in the cyber-espionage process, most incidents are usually enabled through social-engineering campaigns that focus on exploiting human complacency. This problem however is not exclusive to cyber-espionage but is reflected across how cyber security is primarily understood by the general public.

To dissect the threat, enterprises need to understand that cyber-espionage is a complex process requiring expertise in multiple areas ranging from understanding human-behaviour to being capable of repurposing malicious software to achieve certain objectives. When seeking protection from cyber espionage, enterprises need to empower both the technological and human elements within their organization.

Securing your Foundation

The third thing enterprises need to know, is the need to secure the people and technologies, such as routers, that form the foundations of an enterprise’s structure.

In cyber-espionage operations, attackers might consider targeting the weakest links in an enterprise. As executives are broadly targeted, they might also have resilient security procedures or tools in place to ensure their survivability. Therefore, attackers might conduct social engineering campaigns on base-level employees, leveraging off their potential lack of cyber security awareness to gain an initial foothold into an organization’s network. When seeking to secure an enterprise from a cyber-attack, the organization framework is that of an inverted triangle and that you only need a singular employee – regardless of rank – to be compromised.

When securing your organization, enterprises need to secure both the technologies and the staff at the foundational level. This means ensuring that all levels of staff members are equipped with a secure mindset, and that pan-organizational tools/equipment are regularly maintained with updated security protocols.

Outside the Office

The final thing enterprises need to know about cyber espionage is that the campaign is not restricted to the organization’s human or technological network. Like conventional espionage operations, everything and everyone is fair game. What does this mean?

Attackers will do research on their intended targets, and when they fail to compromise their targets, they can always target their associates. Protection from cyber-espionage is not the sole responsibility of an individual or an organization, but of an entire community. Total security from cyber espionage is a joint effort across an entire community. Remember, just because your organization is secure does not mean ‘you’ are secure. Attackers might target partner enterprises or known clients with weaker security systems and utilise them as a trojan into your operational networks.

To ensure pan industry protection from social engineering, enterprises are encouraged to raise awareness among internal employees and close partners. Whilst technological assets can be protected with consistent patches and regular security checks, the only way to strengthen the human element is to raise awareness collectively.

What’s next?

Moving forward, the next step can be summarised into one phrase, be aware. Organizations can achieve this either through reviewing your organization’s security strategy to ensure that the four key areas are addressed, or to outsource key areas to professional cyber security organizations capable of providing a holistic security package of tools and services to address your vulnerabilities

About Horangi Cyber Security

Horangi Cyber Security offers mid-sized businesses best-in-class, proprietary cyber security products that help a company retain integrity as it grows, along with expert advisors that give advice regarding cyber security threats, in a manner that states the business relevance of the finding. Interpreting threats in context of the business objective is challenging. Horangi supports mid-sized businesses with a ready team of the world’s best cyber security experts to discover and interpret threats to the business, offering advice that is applicable and relevant to the businesses’ objectives. Horangi’s products put best-practice to work at the mid-market stage, in a manner that makes it easy for the business to scale and not lose the integrity of their cyber security defences. For more information, please visithttps://horangi.com/.

]]>https://therojakplace.com/2018/06/contributed-article-4-key-things-enterprises-need-to-know-about-cyber-espionage/feed/01403Sony Launches Three New Sports Wireless Headphoneshttps://therojakplace.com/2018/05/sony-launches-three-new-sports-wireless-headphones/
https://therojakplace.com/2018/05/sony-launches-three-new-sports-wireless-headphones/#respondTue, 08 May 2018 03:50:31 +0000https://therojakplace.com/?p=1302Read More]]>Sony launches three trendy new sports wireless headphones for the active, stylish music lover who’s always on the go. These high quality, fully functional sports headphones are just as good when worn in a high intensity cardio class, a holistic yoga session or in everyday life.
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(SINGAPORE, 7 May 2018) – Sony launches three trendy new sports wireless headphones for the active, stylish music lover who’s always on the go. These high quality, fully functional sports headphones are just as good when worn in a high intensity cardio class, a holistic yoga session or in everyday life.

A truly wireless design is important when wearing headphones on the go, as it means you are free to do whatever sports you wish without your headphone cables getting in the way. First up is the truly wireless WF-SP700N headphones which combine, for the first time in the world, two features you need most when working out: digital noise cancelling technology to block out the chaos around you for focus on your training, and a Splash-proof design.

Hear the sounds you want

Sony Noise Cancelling technologyii lets you concentrate and zone in to your training, in the noisy environment of a gym with machines banging and people talking, so you can enjoy your music clearly on the treadmill. On the other hand, if you’re exercising outside, just turn on the Ambient Sound mode to stay aware of the surrounding sounds. Meanwhile back in the gym, this Ambient Sound mode also lets you hear necessary workout-related sounds, making them the perfect gym buddy. These headphones also offer the famous Sony EXTRA BASS sound2 that combined with Noise Cancelling will give your music a deeper, punchier bass edge to focus on enhancing your performance. The companion Sony | Headphones Connect app even allows you to tailor your EQ settings.

Splash-proof, secure-fit design and portability

With an IPX4 rating, the WF-SP700N headphones are splash-proof meaning you can wear them in the rain, or sweat while wearing them without damaging them.

Designed with arc supporters, they fit very securely in your ears no matter what activity you are doing. They are available in four colours including pink, yellow, black and white, which have been picked to complement your active wear outfit, and keep up with the trend of wearing sports and leisure clothes outside of the gym.

The WF-SP700N comes with a compact, one-touch-open charging case and benefits from approximately three hours of battery life plus two additional charges from the case, offering up to nine hours total in between charges.

Convenient connectivity

The WF-SP700N features NFC one-touch connection with the case and is compatible with the Sony | Headphones Connect app, which now features “Quick Sound Settings” so you can recall your favourite settings of equalizer and ambient sound control as you adjust with simply two taps of the headphones button. The WF-SP700N gives you the freedom to move without getting caught up in wires, and will even be optimised for the Google Assistant with an update.

Style options to suit you

Alongside the truly wireless style, Sony brings out two standard wireless in-ear models, the WI-SP600N and the WI-SP500, to offer a range of trendy sports headphones you just won’t be able to live without.

The WI-SP600N model has the same Digital Noise Cancelling and sound quality technology as the WF-SP700N, plus the same level Splash-Proof rating. With this pair, you can keep listening for up to approximately 6 hours. Their compact earpieces are connected by a discreet band that sits behind the neck and they feature arc supporters which are based on the ergonomics of the ear, to ensure both flexibility and a secure fit.

Finally, the WI-SP500 headphones have an open-type driver unit to recognize ambient sounds naturally, as well as an IPX4 rating, and easy connectivity to your smartphone thanks to NFC. You can train for longer with the WI-SP500 thanks to approximately eight hours of battery life on one full charge – and when you’ve finished, simply pop them with the carrying holder. These headphones have specially-designed, ergonomic and grippy earbuds with rubber dimples – once again ensuring they will not easily slip out whilst you are partaking in your favourite sporting activities.

Sony’s Noise Cancelling headphones become smarter with the Google Assistant

Sony’s Noise Cancelling headphones will be optimised for the Google Assistant with an update. Ask questions, tell it to do things, it’s your own personal Google, always ready to help. The Assistant can help you get things done, listen to music, hear your incoming messages, make calls and more. The headphones that will be optimised for the Google Assistant are: WH-1000XM2, WI-1000X, WF-1000X, WF-SP700N, WI-SP600N, WH-CH700N and WH-H900N.

WF-SP700N and WI-SP600N will be available at all Sony Stores, Sony Centres and selected Sony authorised dealers from 24 May 2018. WI-SP500 is available now in Singapore at all Sony Stores and on lazada.sg. From 24 May to 1 July 2018, receive a free Fitbit Flex 2 (while stocks last) when you purchase the WF-SP700N from Sony Stores, Sony Centres and selected Sony authorised dealers. Customers will receive a free gift redemption letter via email upon product warranty registration on www.sony.com.sg/ewarranty .

Google is a trademark of Google LLC. The Google Assistant is not available in all languages and countries. Requires pairing with eligible phone and internet connection.

]]>https://therojakplace.com/2018/05/sony-launches-three-new-sports-wireless-headphones/feed/01302Canon PhotoMarathon 2018 is Open For Registrationhttps://therojakplace.com/2018/05/canon-photomarathon-2018-is-open-for-registration/
https://therojakplace.com/2018/05/canon-photomarathon-2018-is-open-for-registration/#respondTue, 08 May 2018 02:25:16 +0000https://therojakplace.com/?p=1304CELEBRATION by Jirawat Saiwuttino. Best of Show 2017

Early Bird registration for Canon PhotoMarathon XVI Singapore 2018 is now open.

For the first time, participants will be treated to a dusk challenge and fans will be voting for themes to be shot on the actual day of the event.

Speaking about Canon Photomarathin and partnership with the Olympic champion, Mr. Edwin Teoh, Head of Marketing, Domestic Operations, Canon Singapore, said,”This year, we would like to encourage the photography community to test their creative mettle and at the same time, contribute back to the community. Canon PhotoMarathon is not just a competition of photography skills and creativity, it is also a test of one’s endurance and stamina. With Joseph Schooling present at this year’s competition, we hope that participants will be inspired by his tenacity and rigour to achieve big dreams, much like how he attained Singapore’s first Olympic gold medal.”